From: Jennifer Leonard [jleonard@gmu.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 12:13 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: SUPPORT: Docket # 98P-0151/CP1
"Downed animals" are cows, steer, pigs, and sheep who, because of grave
injuries or illness, are unable to stand or walk. Historically, the
livestock industry has treated these animals brutally: they are kicked,
beaten, and dragged all the way to the slaughterhouse to be killed and
rendered. Last year, in a landmark policy, the USDA announced: "USDA
will
no longer accept ground beef that includes product from non-ambulatory
cattle, commonly known as `downers,'" for Federal programs, including
the
National School Lunch Program. Now, a petition has been filed with the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to completely prohibit the
slaughter of downed animals. By cutting out the market for downed
animals,
the livestock industry will have more of an incentive to treat animals
humanely, euthanizing "downed animals" on-farm, and more importantly,
preventing the injuries that cause "downed animals" in the first place.
Please support of Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1!